IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY - AND THE BIG GAME IS APPROACHING - I'M GIDDY

We had an interesting morning around here today. Colby's bus driver backed into a rack that was sticking out the back of a minivan. I assume it was a bike rack, although it didn't look like any bike rack I have ever seen. Well anyways, there was absolutely no damage done to the bus or to the minivan, and the rack appeared to be in working order. But of course we couldn't just let it go. The bus driver had to call the bus compound, those are the rules. Then they sent a police officer. Then the owner of the minivan came out. Oh boy. Turns out she hit a rack that belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints! We have some elders that live here in the apartment complex, and they must use the minivan when they're out spreading the Word. Now, I'm not trying to be mean, and I'm certainly not prejudiced against anyone's religious beliefs. Really I'm not, everyone has the freedom to believe and worship as they wish as far as I'm concerned. However, these young men were just down right weird. Very socially awkward. They were out taking pictures of the van. On their cell phones. Writing down information. She hit you're freakin' bike rack, dudes, calm down. Not to mention there was a policeman there to take down all the information. Finally the ordeal was over. So Colby was late for school, and I was late for work. Luckily I don't have to punch a timecard at work, and can make up the time I missed when I go to work tomorrow. Happy Friday!

But we also got some good news today. Colby has pre-op appointments in Cincinnati next Monday and Tuesday. We have a lot to get done in those 24 hours! I've been working with the ortho spine nurse to make sure everyone is on the same page. I want to know exactly what specialists we're seeing and exactly what blood labs need to be drawn. Remember the fiasco we had with Hematology last year at this time?! NOT going through that crap again. I really like this nurse so far. She seems to be on top of things, and returns phone calls. She checked with all those involved who wanted labs, and she told me that all of Colby's blood work can be drawn from his port. Now that is darn good news. Great news, really. She made my whole day. I'm very, very pleased to hear this, since Colby is such a horrible stick to try and get a peripheral draw. I'm pissed that Colby had to go through what he went through last year to get the blood work, but sooooo happy we're not going through that crap next week. Happy dance time.

We're trying a new medication with Colby. He "slobbers" a lot since he doesn't have a swallow and has very limited movement of his mouth and tongue. He's always had lots of oral secretions. I worry that they may drain down his throat and cause aspiration. I also worry about the aesthetics of Colby drooling these days. He's getting older, and I can't help but think it may bother him some. Maybe, maybe not, but I wanted to try something else. We tried Robinol over the summer, but it just didn't work for Colby. Dried out his secretions too much, which caused trach plugs. That's a huge no-no. I'll take slobber over plugs any day! So this time around we're trying scopolamine. It's a transdermal patch you change every 3 days. We started using it last Friday. I'm already having my doubts it's going to work for Colby. It tries up his secretions for sure. He had his normally scheduled trach change tonight and sure enough, there were dried, "cement-like" secretions stuck in his trach. That's not good. That's exactly what happened with the Robinol. We'll see the pulmonologist this coming Tuesday and discuss it then.

Colby took a big, fat nap today. So unlike him. I got home from work at about 3:30, and by 4:00 this kid was zonked out. One eye shut, one half open, heart rate in the 60's. Yep, that's how Colby snoozes. Guess he wanted to be well rested and stay up with me to watch the Cards vs Cats. Although we already, of course, know who's going to win. And that's all I have to say about that. Good night, all. More blogging soon.